Anyone following this Brett Favre story?

It's particularly skuzzy how sheepishly Favre broached not wanting this information to become public.

Favre's not going to jail but he's a slimebag. He presumably has the means to donate to his alma mater, and have the facility built. Instead he pushed for it to come off the backs of poor people.

What a butthole.

So, as I understand, more than $4 million of federal tax payer money intended to help poor families and their children in Mississippi went to build a volleyball stadium at the behest of Brett Favre because his daughter was playing volleyball at that school?

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States may use their TANF funding in any manner "reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of TANF." These purposes are: (1) to provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes; (2) to reduce dependency by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; (3) to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (4) to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

Some states have taken hilarious liberties with Purposes 2, 3 and 4. Sham charities with noble-sounding charters are a favorite device for laundering money. States receive federal TANF aid based, essentially, on what they would have gotten for AFDC (i.e. TANF Purpose #1), but it's up to each state to decide how to allocate among the four purposes and within each element of the charter. Mississippi stands out because so many families qualify, yet so little of the money goes directly to those poor families. What remains is a slush fund for folks with strong connections and a weak conscience... which brings us back to a certain HoF QB.

While it's hard to keep politics out of a topic like this, it's not really a partisan issue. Welfare reform (properly "The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996") was a bipartisan compromise that President Clinton signed over the impassioned objections of advocates for the poor, including members of his own administration who resigned in protest. Ownership of the flaws and loopholes rests with both parties.
TANF rules from hhs.gov - ( New Window )

No winners here. Favre is probably going to jail for this along with the dirty scumbag politicians.

In comment 15839745 christian said:

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It's particularly skuzzy how sheepishly Favre broached not wanting this information to become public. Favre's not going to jail but he's a slimebag. He presumably has the means to donate to his alma mater, and have the facility built. Instead he pushed for it to come off the backs of poor people. What a butthole.

But Favre's company Odessey is doing terrific work in the concussion health space. And they got redirected money as well from the TANF fund.

On the surface, it seems the money went from one good cause to another.

First of all, Odyssey (like PRV-002’s developer, Prevacus) is a private company, not a non-profit, so any investment of public funds deserves tight scrutiny. Second, the company’s work on PRV-002, “terrific” though it may (or may not) turn out to be, bears no connection whatsoever to any of the four elements of TANF’s mission.

While private research on concussion prevention is fine and good, states can’t use federal TANF money that way, no matter how worthy or promising the research might be. TANF is a block grant program, but it does have rules.

The federal government subsidizes tons of medical research, through varied channels, and much of it ultimately benefits private investors. That’s a whole different topic. TANF, however, is not one of those channels. Mississippi has a Development Authority that invests in promising local businesses. That’s not TANF money either. Prevacus bypassed the competent, legal channels and tapped into a slush fund provided unwittingly by taxpayers across the country. Even if PRV-002 were a wonder drug - and so far it isn’t - the diversion of TANF money would be wrong.

Ironically, you’re right that Odyssey might have been a worthier use of TANF money than some other, griftier diversions Mississippi had going at the same time. It was still wildly inappropriate, and probably illegal.

He’s a POS

The company just dissolved its Sports Advisory Board, after Abby Wambach noped out. The company emphasizes that it only purchased Prevacus’s intellectual property, and had no involvement in the diversion of TANF money.

Apparently, they have decided that the Favre name has become a net negative.


Odyssey press release - ( New Window )

In comment 15839996 Big Blue Blogger said:

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First of all, Odyssey (like PRV-002’s developer, Prevacus) is a private company, not a non-profit, so any investment of public funds deserves tight scrutiny. Second, the company’s work on PRV-002, “terrific” though it may (or may not) turn out to be, bears no connection whatsoever to any of the four elements of TANF’s mission. While private research on concussion prevention is fine and good, states can’t use federal TANF money that way, no matter how worthy or promising the research might be. TANF is a block grant program, but it does have rules. The federal government subsidizes tons of medical research, through varied channels, and much of it ultimately benefits private investors. That’s a whole different topic. TANF, however, is not one of those channels. Mississippi has a Development Authority that invests in promising local businesses. That’s not TANF money either. Prevacus bypassed the competent, legal channels and tapped into a slush fund provided unwittingly by taxpayers across the country. Even if PRV-002 were a wonder drug - and so far it isn’t - the diversion of TANF money would be wrong. Ironically, you’re right that Odyssey might have been a worthier use of TANF money than some other, griftier diversions Mississippi had going at the same time. It was still wildly inappropriate, and probably illegal.

I appreciate the feedback. But I never said getting TANF money - if true - was appropriate. It's just another layer in the story.

In comment 15839871 Big Blue Blogger said:

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Quote: States may use their TANF funding in any manner "reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of TANF." These purposes are: (1) to provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes; (2) to reduce dependency by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; (3) to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (4) to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. Some states have taken hilarious liberties with Purposes 2, 3 and 4. Sham charities with noble-sounding charters are a favorite device for laundering money. States receive federal TANF aid based, essentially, on what they would have gotten for AFDC (i.e. TANF Purpose #1), but it's up to each state to decide how to allocate among the four purposes and within each element of the charter. Mississippi stands out because so many families qualify, yet so little of the money goes directly to those poor families. What remains is a slush fund for folks with strong connections and a weak conscience... which brings us back to a certain HoF QB. While it's hard to keep politics out of a topic like this, it's not really a partisan issue. Welfare reform (properly "The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996") was a bipartisan compromise that President Clinton signed over the impassioned objections of advocates for the poor, including members of his own administration who resigned in protest. Ownership of the flaws and loopholes rests with both parties. TANF rules from hhs.gov - ( New Window )

Quote:

“States may use their TANF funding in any manner "reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of TANF." These purposes are: to provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes; to reduce dependency by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.”

So, I guess a volleyball stadium helps prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies? 🤔

He pushed for and got money designated for aid to the poor and he knew this.

He may have found a loophole to do so regardless of the fact that a fucking millionaire pushed to get money to look good for his daughter and his ex-college.

He's a PoS for doing it and a complete scumbag for making it look like it's his own money. There is no sugarcoating his actions

In comment 15840384 montanagiant said:

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He pushed for and got money designated for aid to the poor and he knew this. He may have found a loophole to do so regardless of the fact that a fucking millionaire pushed to get money to look good for his daughter and his ex-college. He's a PoS for doing it and a complete scumbag for making it look like it's his own money. There is no sugarcoating his actions

+1

In comment 15839690 Milton said:

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In comment 15839672 pjcas18 said: Quote: you should be less judgmental. Especially as a teacher. Well let me ask you this question: do you vote? Because someone who feels the way you do shouldn't be voting. If you feel the way you do and because of that, you don't vote, well then I get it. But if you're voting, then I have to wonder who it is you're voting for if you think all politicians are corrupt.

Again Milton, you are making assumptions and judging people.

I do vote, but yet I still think most politicians don't give a shit about their constituents. I think they care mostly about lining their own pockets and/or amassing power. I won't say more because I don't want this thread deleted and it's probably venturing to the line of topics that will get it blown up.

I don't think it is uncommon to feel this way and even if it is it's not up to you to say if it's ok or not.

The most gross villain in the play is Nancy New.

Spinning up a non-profit with seemingly the only intent to redirect welfare money into pet projects for the rich and notable is a special kind of terrible.

Say what you will about public officials, but non-profit work is tiring and often thankless. I’ve had nothing but excellent experiences with the many non-profits I’ve contributed to and my friends and family have worked at or run.

Anyone who creates a bad name for an industry that does so much good in this country sucks.

I don't see Favre coming out of this unscathed. There is certainly a lot of culpability to go around to public officials and execs in his organization, etc. But, he is greatly entrenched in this and a lot went on at his directional using his name and popularity to pressure all these wrong moves. To me, there are just too many moving parts and misconduct for him to slide. He had his hand in too much of what went on.

Ignoring his involvement and letting him slide would be a miscarriage of justice and send a terrible message.

In comment 15840478 pjcas18 said:

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Again Milton, you are making assumptions and judging people...I do vote, but yet I still think most politicians don't give a shit about their constituents. I think they care mostly about lining their own pockets and/or amassing power...I don't think it is uncommon to feel this way and even if it is it's not up to you to say if it's ok or not.

Fine, I don't think you're a bad guy, but aren't you guilty of the same thing you're accusing me of when it comes to how you feel about politicians?